Jain Journal 1969 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 32

OCTOBER, 1969
water released from their check washed away Ravana's worship. So Ravana diverted his steps first to punish Sahasrakirana for his inadvertent impoliteness.
75
Sahasrakirana was an extremely powerful man. As he was coming out of water, he was informed about the arrival of an hostile army. Immediately he took his bow and stood ready .o meet the enemy singlehanded. The fight started with Ravana's army in the sky and Sahasrakirana fighting back from the ground. When this was decried as immoral by the gods, they came down and the fight went on, Sahasrakirana alone keeping the whole army at bay. So now Ravana entered the battle field. In the encounter, while Sahasrakirana lost his chariot Ravana lost his armour. But at last Ravana captured him and brought him as a prisoner to his camp.
When this news reached Satakara who was Sahasrakirana's father but a recluse at the moment, he approached Ravana for the release of his son, as he was destined to get salvation in this life. Ravana readily released him and returned his kingdom. But Sahasrakirana now had developed a detachment. So he installed his son in his place and renounced the world. When this news reached Ayodhya, Anaranya, king of Ayodhya, renounced he world after installing his son Dasaratha on the throne.
Ravana proceeded onwards and destroying the sacrifice of the king of Marutta reached Magadha. Then he married his daughter to Madhu, king of Mathura, to whom Camarendra had presented a śūlāyudha. From thence he went to Kailasa. There he visited the Jaina shrines and moved further on his military pursuits. Then he reached the impregnable city of Surendra. When Nalakubera heard about the arrival of Ravana, he encircled the city with magic charm so that any one coming within a yojana of it would die. Ravana when came to know it became very much worried. But luck favoured him. Uparambha, wife of Nalakuvera fell in love with Ravana and unable to bear separation sent her friend Vicitramala to entice him even offering the counter charm so that he might be tempted to accept her. On Vibhisana's advice, Ravana accepted the offer and got the counter charm. The war started and the city soon fell. Nalakuvera was taken a prisoner but was later released and his kingdom was returned to him. But to the disappointment of Uparambha, she was not accepted by
Ravana.
The news about Ravana's growing strength had reached Indra and on the advice of his ministers now he was keen on a treaty of friendship